Unlucky couple lose out on holiday

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It was out of the frying pan into the fire for one hapless couple who lost their sunshine break when holiday company XL collapsed.

They had been robbed at gunpoint during an aborted safari holiday in Namibia earlier this year, and were looking forward to the Greek island of Naxos courtesy of their travel insurance payout.

But Maggi and Nick Bradgate, of Crowborough, arrived at Gatwick to find that operator Kosmar, an XL subsidiary, had gone bust.

After spending £120 on taxi fares to Gatwick and back, the Bradgates spent a fruitless morning trying to find another flight to somewhere hot.

"We are unlucky," said Mrs Bradgate, a gardener.

"After our traumatic experience in February all we wanted to do was to get away for two weeks in the sun".

"But, after what happened to us before, all I can do is laugh - at least we're alive."

The Bradgates had been in a party of nine tourists and three guides on a private game reserve when they were woken by armed robbers.

They had all their possessions, including their clothes, stolen.

They are now contemplating a walking holiday in the West Country.

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